The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-06
OUR CHANCES IN WAR.
Pusillanimous Talk Should Not Be Encour-
aged Where We Have the Advantage.

Pusillanimous Talk Should Not Be Encour-
aged Where We Have the Advantage.
New York Tribune.
PusiIlanimous talk in regard to war with
Great Britain over fisheries outrages should not
be encouraged 1t Isl true that the country has
defenseless seaboard which, in the event of
hostilities with foreign power, would invite in
vasion. It is also true that the United States
navy is in deplorabIe condition, and would be
unable to make stand against the fleets Of
Great Britain. The defenceless condi-
tion of the seaboard and the weak
ness OF the, navy are indisputabla
facts. The fisheries controversy will serve .
most useful purpose if it stimulates legislative
activity in providing adequate measures of ma
tional defense. Too great stress cannot be laid
upon the necessity for legislation on these i'm
portant subjects. Congress ought to be forced
by public opinion to make adequate appropriA-
tions for the manufacture OF heavy ordnance,
the adoption of a complete system of harbor do
fense and the creation of a powerful navy. 1t ID
not necessary however, for the press to exagger-
ate the weakness of the country ana to make
craven exhibition of American helplessness
Defenseless rs is the seaboard aud antiquated
as is the navy, il is nevertheless true that this
country is better prepared for a war over the
fisheries outrages than England is to-day. We
say this not in boastful spirit, but as the re-
suit of deliberate reflection. The southern
frontier of the Dominion s certainly as exposed
to attack from the volunteer land forces, which
this country could at once put into the field, Al
| the American seaboard is to hostile naval
demonstrations Every wanton act committed
| on the coast-the bombardment of defenseless
| towns and the firing of cities could be repeated
on Canadian territory in spirit of retaliation.
/ A great army could be recruited for an active
campaign in Ontario, and, with population OK
| 10000, 600 to draw upon, with an unrivalied
| financial credit throughout the world, and with
| every human industry established under wise
| system of protection, the issue would not long
| be in doubt. The absence Of a feet would ex-
| pose the country to great hazards but it would
| be contest mainly between land forces the
! northern frontier In such campaign Great
| Britain would be at a serious disadvantage.
| In another respect the position OF the United
| States would be altogether superior There
| would be "a united population here, whereas Eng
| land would have an Irish revolution to grapp;e
| with at home. No prophet is needed to foretell
| one result of declaration of war between Eng
land and the United States. A large proper
ton of the British army would be Immediately
| required for active garrison duty in Ireland.
| Not only would Irishmen refuse to take up arms
| against the United States, but they would also
| plot increasingly against the crown and strive
to establish an Irish Republic. From in
| volving the probable loss of Canada and Ireland
| Great Britain, not America, has reason To
shrink
No more deplorable event can be imagined
| than internecine strife between the English
speaking that are separated by the At
lantic, but bound together by indssoluble ties
We believe that on each side moral and indus
trial forces alike powerful in preventing the out
| break OF war, will continue to make for peace in
this generation and for century in reserve. Ii
is unnecessary. however. for great nation Of
60 600 600 people to proclaim its abJect helpless
ness in the event of war; That is craven and
pusillanimous policy.